Getting on the internet with a Linux system.

what does minicom do? it is a terminal emulation program?

Minicom is the software needed to make my dialup modem work. My dialup modem is an external Trendnet TFM-560x.
It seems funny that the Ubuntu systems offers so much software that you can use on there system, but in order to take advantage of them and update certain drivers, you must be on the internet. But you can't get on the internet until you are already on the internet. So, the whole thing seems impossible.
I need a Linux distribution that on the installation disk is included everything needed to get on the internet. Is there such a thing?

Marcus Aurelius
Please check question number 143250

Hi edwin,

There is limited space on the install disc, and people already complain about the download size. So unfortunately, you end up with the situation you are in now.

>I need a Linux distribution that on the installation disk is included everything needed to get on the
>internet. Is there such a thing?
Not that I am aware of; but I might be limited here. Unfortunately it is assumed these days that everyone has access to at least an ADSL line, and dial up modems no longer exist (this is very much not true, i know).

However, you can download ubuntu packages directly from the ubuntu's package database website, place them on a USB key, and install them manually by clicking on the package in the file manager (nautilus).

Note that some packages require other packages in order to function, so you may need to download these "dependencies" by hand. For example minicom requires the package "libncurses5" to function, and will not install unless this is already installed. These are linked on the page, so it is easy to grab them.

Note that you will probably have many dependencies already installed, so you don't have to grab all of them. (eg libc).

You haven't specified your ubuntu version, so I'll just link you to the maverick minicom page
http://packages.ubuntu.com/maverick/minicom

You can download the .deb file for your system (64 bit or 32 bit) there.

HI Mycae
I think I have downloaded what I need, per your instructions.
I don't quite understand what you mean when you say ( install the packages by placing the package on a USB key and then clicking on the package).
What is a USB key?
I can burn them on a CD on another computer and then place the CD in the computer in which they will be installed. Will this work instead of "placing on a USB key"?
I won't be doing this until tomorrow (2-8-11), so I hope to hear your response to my questions before I go ahead with it.
Thankyou

However, you can download ubuntu packages directly from the ubuntu's package database website, place them on a USB key, and install them manually by clicking on the package in the file manager (nautilus).

I didn't mean to send that last paragraph. (copied from your message)